Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

The women’s, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) program is an interdisciplinary major that examines gender as a socially created identity and a system of inequality. Throughout the program’s courses, students analyze how gender intersects with sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, religion, disability and other categories of culturally created differences to understand how these intersections result in a range of experiences and meanings for people’s daily lives. The theories and methods in the program cross a variety of disciplines, but analyzing the complexities of systems of power and oppression in people’s daily lives is central to the major.

The program requires eight courses that focus on women’s lives, women of color and gender and sexuality concepts and theories. Students can choose from a wide selection of courses across the curriculum to fulfill the major’s requirements. This dynamic curriculum allows students flexibility in choosing courses that most interest them while at the same time providing a solid training in gender theories and concepts. WGSS encourages experiential learning, Principled Problem Solving experiences, internship opportunities, independent studies and study abroad.

DEGREE OFFERED

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in women’s, gender and sexuality studies.

Women's, Gender and Sexuality Major

The women’s, gender and sexuality studies major is an interdisciplinary major that requires a second disciplinary major and an advisor in each.

Among the courses identified below, students are required to complete eight credits at the 200-level, eight credits at the 300-level, and eight credits at the 400-level, one must be identified as an IDS 400-level course focused on WGSS content. See below for the list of IDS courses that fulfill this requirement. Further, students must complete at least three courses (12 credits) focused on women of color in the U.S. or internationally (designated by the suffix (WoC).

Because the WGSS major is an interdisciplinary major, courses must be selected from at least two departments, with some courses in both the humanities and the social sciences. Other integrative experiences, internships, independent study or thesis, are encouraged.

Students must take a minimum of 32 credit hours (eight courses) in women’s, gender and sexuality studies in the following pattern:

First-year students should take ENGL 151 Black Women’s History and Literature, HIST 223, PHIL 232, REL 222 or WGSS 110 to begin the major.

Senior students should take a gender-related IDS 400 from the list above, as a capstone for the major.

Note: At any level, an internship or independent study may serve the function of one of the above courses. However, a student may count no more than two internships or two independent studies toward the major and no more than two internships and independent studies combined. Approval from the program chair or one of the co-chairs shall be required for an internship or independent study to count for the major.

Women's, Gender and Sexuality Minor

The women’s, gender, and sexuality studies minor is designed to provide the opportunity for students to focus on concepts of gender, sexuality and multiple identities, as well as women’s experiences from a number of different disciplinary perspectives. This minor also seeks to study efforts to foster gender equality and explore gender oppressions in several contexts.

The minor provides an opportunity for analyzing and theorizing about an area of important social change.

The minor requires a minimum of 16 credit hours (four courses). Minors must take one course in each of the following four categories. In addition, two courses must be on Women of Color (WoC), and one must be identified as an IDS 400-level course focused on WGSS content. See below for the list of IDS courses that fulfill this requirement.

Note: At any level, an internship or independent study may serve the function of one of the above courses. However, a student may count no more than one internship or one independent study toward the minor. Approval from the program chair or one of the co-chairs shall be required for an internship or independent study to count for the minor.

Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies

The women’s, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) program is an interdisciplinary major that examines gender as a socially created identity and a system of inequality. Throughout the program’s courses, students analyze how gender intersects with sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, religion, disability and other categories of culturally created differences to understand how these intersections result in a range of experiences and meanings for people’s daily lives. The theories and methods in the program cross a variety of disciplines, but analyzing the complexities of systems of power and oppression in people’s daily lives is central to the major.

The program requires eight courses that focus on women’s lives, women of color and gender and sexuality concepts and theories. Students can choose from a wide selection of courses across the curriculum to fulfill the major’s requirements. This dynamic curriculum allows students flexibility in choosing courses that most interest them while at the same time providing a solid training in gender theories and concepts.

Majors and minors have opportunities to develop close relationships with professors through discussion-based, student-centered classes. WGSS encourages experiential learning, internship opportunities, independent studies and study abroad. The program also sponsors a women’s, gender and sexuality studies conference, where students can showcase their research and creative performances.

WGSS graduates have pursued graduate degrees in women’s and gender studies or have engaged in a variety of interesting occupations such as teaching, restaurant management, graphic design and holistic nutrition and lifestyle consulting. A recent graduate is also a member of Greensboro’s new roller derby team, the Gate City Roller Girls!